The
Greensborough Patriot
July
24, 1862
Page 2
Death of Julius L. Gorrell.
Our community has been again called
upon to mourn the loss of one of our most worthy citizens. Again has an impressive warning come to teach
us, that in the midst of life we are in death.
Another good man has fallen; and though young in years, yet had he
endeared himself to the community in which he lived. Another useful, much loved and much-esteemed
citizen has been called from the theatre of his services to that final Bar
where the lofty and the lowly must all meet at last. On Thursday night, the 17th,
inst., about 12 o’clock, after a brief illness, Julius D. Gorrell
breathed his last. Though his sufferings
were not protracted many days, yet were they severe. His last hours were cheered by the presence
of affectionate parents, he died surrounded by friends, who, during his short
illness, had done all that affection could suggest to soothe his
sufferings. Mr. Gorrell,
we understand, was in his 30th year, and at the time of his death
was a candidate for re-election to the House of Commons—he having represented
the county of Guilford in that branch of the Legislature at its last
session. He graduated at the University
of North Carolina in the year 1850 and immediately commenced the study of the
law, obtaining license in the year 1852.
As a lawyer, he was faithful, diligent and laborious, and was much
beloved and esteemed by his brethren of the bar. Courteous in his demeanor, strictly moral and
upright, and well versed in legal learning for one of his age, his future was
bright with promise. For several years
he acted as County Solicitor for the County of Montgomery. He was afterwards elected as Solicitor for
the County of Randolph, which office he resigned, to take his seat in the
Legislature, to which position his fellow citizens of Guilford had called
him. As a member of society, as a
lawyer, as a legislator, he discharged his duty as became a conscientious and
upright man and a good citizen, while a consistent and Christian walk added
additional graces to a life otherwise above reproach.
Our community not only mourn the
untimely death of one so young, so much esteemed, and whose future promised so
much of honor to himself and good to his fellow citizens, but they deeply sympathise with his bereaved parents, who have been called
to commit to the tomb their eldest and much-loved son, while it may be said
that the grave is still new-made which covers the mortal remains of his younger
brother, Capt. Henry C. Gorrell, who on the 21st
of June, near Richmond, while bravely leading on his men to the charge, yielded
up his life a sacrifice upon the altar of his country. Truly, are the dealings of God with his
children mysterious, but the lessons of His Providence, though severe often
become merciful dispensations, reminding us that we have higher duties to
fulfill, and graver responsibilities to encounter than those which meet us
here. May such be the case in this
instance. And when we shall enter that
narrow valley through which our friend has passed before us, may our end be
peace, as we fondly trust and believe his was.
